Solar panel disconnect and reactivation system

ABSTRACT

A photovoltaic system with an inverter, at least one solar panel for providing electrical power, and electrical wiring for coupling electrical power from the at least one solar panel to the inverter. Also included is a transmitter for transmitting a messaging protocol along the electrical wiring, where the protocol includes a multibit wireline signal. Also included is circuitry for selectively connecting the electrical power from the at least one solar panel along the electrical wiring to the inverter in response to the messaging protocol.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/409,892, filed Aug. 24, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/782,290, filed Feb. 5, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,101,662, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/087,216, filed Mar. 31, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,566,798, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments relate to solar panel systems and, more particularly, to disconnecting or reactivating connectivity of such panels to a power grid, for instance in connection with safety considerations.

Solar panel electrical technology dates back many decades to the discovery of the photovoltaic (PV) (i.e., solar) cell, but economic and ecologic factors are now advancing the merits of larger scale use of such technologies. As a result, solar panel systems are becoming more efficient, cost-effective, and prolific. With such advancements, aspects of solar panel systems are constantly being considered and improved, with the development of requirements or standards by certain governing bodies. In this regard, the National Electrical Code (NEC) is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of various electrical equipment, which is commonly adopted in states or municipalities in the United States. The NEC has issued requirements for safety considerations in environments where PV systems are installed, so as to reduce electric shock and energy hazards for emergency personnel, such as first responders and others, who may need to work in the vicinity of a PV system. For example, NEC requirements are provided for PVRSE (PV Rapid Shutdown Equipment) and PVRSS (PV Rapid Shutdown System), where the PRVSS is to reduce or shut down energy (i.e., voltage/current) at a location(s) in the PVRSE under certain circumstances, with an aim toward safety. As another example, an uninsulated live part involving a risk of electric shock or electrical energy-high current levels shall be located, guarded, or enclosed to protect against unintentional contact by personnel who may be called on to activate the actuating device while the PV equipment is energized. As still another example, the requirements state that within 30 seconds of an actuator signal, a PVRSS shall maintain controlled conductors at a limit of not more than 30 VDC, or 15 VAC, 8 A and may not exceed 240 volt-amperes.

Given the preceding, there arises a need to address certain safety issues in the proliferation of PV systems, and the preferred embodiments are directed to such a need as further explored below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, there is a photovoltaic system. The system comprises an inverter, at least one solar panel for providing electrical power, and electrical wiring for coupling electrical power from the at least one solar panel to the inverter. The system also comprises a transmitter for transmitting a messaging protocol along the electrical wiring, where the protocol includes a multibit wireline signal. The system also comprises circuitry for selectively connecting the electrical power from the at least one solar panel along the electrical wiring to the inverter in response to the messaging protocol.

Numerous other inventive aspects and preferred embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical block diagram of a PV system according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a messaging protocol with a single message for controlling connectivity of all solar panels.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of a single Keep-Alive signal KAS_(x) from FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a preferred embodiment method 20 of operation of each receiver RC_(x) to sample signals on grid GR so as to detect the presence, or lack thereof, of a stream of Keep-Alive signals and to respond appropriately.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a preferred embodiment method for detecting the presence of, preferably consecutive, Keep-Alive signals and the appropriate response of reactivating a connection between a solar panel SP_(x) and grid GR.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative methodology for detecting Keep-Alive signals and either enabling or disabling the connectivity of a solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR according to a majority decoding methodology.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative messaging protocol of an ongoing stream of Keep-Alive signals, with groups of S 15-bit Keep-Alive signals and each signal differs in its binary values from the other signals in the group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical block diagram of a photovoltaic (PV) system 10, according to a preferred embodiment. System 10 includes various aspects known in the art which are first described here, followed by additional preferred embodiment aspects described in the remainder of this document. Looking first to the former, system 10 includes a number N of solar panels, shown by way of example in FIG. 1 as solar panel SP₁, panel SP₂, . . . , through panel SP_(N). Each solar panel is connected, typically by parallel electrical connection, to a respective maximum power point tracker (MPPT) MP₁, MP₂, . . . , MP_(N). As is well known, each solar panel SP_(x) is operable to convert incident solar energy (i.e., from the sun) to a DC voltage, and each such MPPT MP_(x) is a DC to DC converter that optimizes the match between each solar panel SP_(x) and the rest of an electrical grid GR that connects the energy from multiple panels together and to other devices connected to grid GR. Further, grid GR connects the plurality of MPPTs in a wired fashion, shown as a serial connection in FIG. 1 , and the total potential provided by the collective serial path is connected to an inverter 12. Inverter 12 converts the DC voltage provided from the solar panels/MPPTs to an AC signal, v_(AC), where the latter is typically output at a level (e.g., 110 volts AC) to accommodate the voltage requirements of equipment or devices that will use the electricity generated by system 10. Lastly, note that various other items are known in the art and may be connected to the electrical grid of FIG. 1 , including batteries; such items are not shown in FIG. 1 , however, to focus the discussion on remaining preferred embodiment aspects described below.

Looking to additional preferred embodiment aspects of system 10, its wireline connection is further enhanced to include apparatus for wireline network communications so as to achieve rapid shutdown, and controlled reactivation, of electrical connectivity to each of solar panels SP₁ through SP_(N). In this regard, inverter 12 includes a safety actuator 12 _(SA), which may be an electrical, mechanical, or graphical operable button or interface that, when actuated, will commence a process to interrupt the supply of electricity from a solar panel SP_(x), or more than one solar panel, to grid GR. Further in this regard, safety actuator 12 _(SA) may be a user-operated control, such as by an administrator or other personnel who, for safety purposes, desires to remove the electrical provision from a solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR, such as when responding to an emergency or comparable situation that involves system 10. As another example, safety actuator 12 _(SA) may be software and/or hardware that detects a condition and, in response yet without user-intervention, operates safety actuator 12 _(SA) so as to instigate the solar panel electrical shutdown process; for example, such a condition may be a detected arc or electrical spike. Moreover, safety actuator 12 _(SA) also is operable to control the re-connection or reactivation of power supply from one or more solar panels to grid GR. Thus, as detailed below, safety actuator 12 _(SA) along with other circuitry provides selective connectivity as between solar panel energy and grid GR, whereby in some instances the connection between the two is enabled and electricity couples between the two, while in other instances the connection between the two is interrupted so that electricity is not coupled between the two.

Further in the preferred embodiment, a transmitter 12 _(T) is associated with inverter 12, such as being incorporated inside the housing 17 of inverter 12 or connected to the same wireline connections of inverter 12, where for sake of example in FIG. 1 transmitter 12 _(T) is shown connected in parallel to the conductors connected to inverter 12. Transmitter 12 _(T), as further detailed below, is operable to transmit signals along grid GR so as to facilitate the function of safety actuator 12 _(SA), that is, when safety actuator 12 _(SA) is to commence a shutdown or reactivation of a solar panel connection to grid GR, then transmitter 12 _(T) communicates appropriate signaling to achieve such a result. Further in this regard, each of solar panel SP₁, SP₂, . . . , SP_(N) incorporates, or is connected to, a respective receiver RC₁, RC₂, . . . , RC_(N). Thus, a receiver RC_(x) also may be incorporated inside the housing 19 _(x) of its respective solar panel SP_(x) or connected to the same wireline connections of that panel, where for sake of example in FIG. 1 each such receiver RC_(x) is shown connected in parallel to the conductors connected to its respective solar panel SP_(x). In general, transmitter 12 _(T), and each of the receivers RC₁, RC₂, . . . , RC_(N), may be constructed with various hardware and software, as ascertainable by one skilled in the art, so as to achieve the functionality including communications and protocol described in this document.

Each receiver RC_(x) is also shown with a control connection (by way of an arrow) to a respective MPPT MP_(x); for example, receiver RC₁ has a control connection to MPPT MP₁, MP₂, and so forth. By this control, each receiver may signal its respective MPPT to electrically isolate its respective solar panel SP_(x) from providing electricity to grid GR; for example, receiver RC₁ may control MPPT MP₁ so that solar panel SP₁ cannot provide current to inverter 12. In this regard, therefore, switching circuitry is included in each MPPT MP_(x), whereby the connectivity from the solar panel SP_(x), through the MPPT MP_(x), and to inverter 12, may be interrupted, such as through an open circuit (e.g., relay, switch, or other element for preventing current flow). Likewise, such circuitry may be controlled to reconnect or reactivate this open circuit so as to restore electrical power provision by a solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR.

Operation of safety actuator 12SA of inverter 12 to control solar panel connectivity is accomplished in a preferred embodiment by a messaging protocol between inverter 12 and either the solar panels or some other circuitry, where in a preferred embodiment such circuitry are the MPPTs, that can open/close the connectivity between a solar panel (or group of panels) and grid GR. In one preferred embodiment, the messaging protocol uses a singular message to control all solar panels, while in an alternative preferred embodiment, different messages according to a protocol correspond to respective groups of one or more panels, where each group will respond to its respective signal. Each of these alternatives is described below.

FIG. 2 illustrates a messaging protocol with a single message for controlling connectivity of all solar panels. As shown in FIG. 2 , transmitter 12 _(T) preferably communicates the messaging protocol along the wireline connectivity of FIG. 1 , as an ongoing stream of what will be referred to herein as Keep-Alive signals. As a wireline communication, various of the complexities and costs associated with the alternative of wireless communications is avoided. In any event, a continuous stream of Keep-Alive signals are shown in FIG. 2 , sequentially following one another in time, where each such signal is alike, that is, contains the same information as the other such signals. As further detailed later, each receiver RC_(x) evaluates signaling along the connections to that receiver so as to detect such Keep-Alive signals, and as long as such detection occurs with sufficiency over time, the receiver RC_(x) control to its respective MPPT_(x) is such that the corresponding solar panel SP_(x) continues to supply current to grid GR. However, if a receiver RC_(x) fails to detect a sufficient quantity of such Keep-Alive signals during a given period of time, then the receiver RC_(x) controls its respective MPPT_(x) so as to disconnect its respective solar panel SP_(x) from supplying current to grid GR. In the latter instance, therefore, safety considerations such as those arising from the NEC can be achieved, by quickly, efficiently, and reliably shutting down the receipt of power by grid GR from a solar panel SP_(x).

FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded view of a single Keep-Alive signal KAS_(X) from FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, each Keep-Alive signal KAS_(x) is a 15 bit signal (shown as bits b₀ through b₁₄), where each bit is communicated across a 5 millisecond (ms) duration, so that the entire Keep-Alive signal KAS_(x) transmission period is 75 ms. Moreover, each bit is preferably transmitted by transmitter 12 _(T) using frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation. As known in the FSK art, each of the binary values is transmitted at a differing frequency, where the 1 is called the mark frequency f_(M) and the 0 is called the space frequency f_(S), where such frequency differentiation improves proper signal detection if one of the frequencies is more susceptible to poor channel quality. Additionally, when the channel is limited by random additive noise, an SNR improvement of 10 log₁₀(15)=11.8 dB is obtained by encoding the Keep-Alive signal into a 15-bit sequence as shown in FIG. 3 , where preferably the sequence is pseudo-orthogonal with respect to any random sequences. Still further, note that each Keep-alive signal consists solely of data bits, with no overhead required to limit different portions of a packet or frame, such as a separate header, payload, and possible accuracy check (e.g., CRC) or other frame terminating field. Accordingly and as detailed below, each of the receivers RC_(x) evaluates grid GR for a signal presence at either of frequencies f_(M) and f_(S) to thereby detect an incoming Keep-Alive signal. Moreover, where in one preferred embodiment the Keep-Alive signals are transmitted without a pause or time space between successive signals and with a continuous phase transition, then a correlator may be implemented in each receiver RC_(x). Thus, with knowledge of the bit pattern of the Keep-Alive signal, then should the Keep-Alive signal arrive within a 75 ms window of time, a peak will be detected by the correlator when autocorrelation is high, thereby confirming the presence of the Keep-Alive signal. As further detailed below, such a signal detection will maintain the connectivity of a solar panel SP_(x), or group of solar panels, to grid GR. Moreover, with continuous phase transition, note that such detection may occur without any additional synchronization or messaging overhead as between transmitter 12 _(T) and the receivers RC₁ through RC_(N).

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a preferred embodiment method 20 of operation of each receiver RC_(x) to sample signals on grid GR so as to detect the presence, or lack thereof, of a stream of Keep-Alive signals and to respond appropriately. Method 20 commences with a system start step 22, illustrating start-up of system 10 according to principles known in the art. Accordingly, assuming proper operation, then in step 22 each solar panel SP_(x) provides electrical energy to its corresponding MPPT MP_(x), and with any power conversion needed of the solar-panel-provided energy as also known in the art, each corresponding MPPT MP_(x) provides a corresponding electrical signal to grid GR. Meanwhile, assuming no activation of safety actuator 12 _(SA), then inverter 12 provides an ongoing sequence of recurrent Keep-Alive signals, as shown in FIG. 2 , to grid GR. Next, method 20 continues from step 22 to step 24.

In step 24, each receiver RC_(x) initiates to zero a parameter shown as FAIL COUNT. As its name suggest, the parameter FAIL COUNT represents a counter for reach receiver RC_(x), indicating a count of the number of times that the receiver RC_(x) fails to detect the presence of a Keep-Alive signal. After step 24, method 20 continues to step 26.

In step 26, each receiver RC_(x) samples grid GR in an effort to detect the presence of a Keep-Alive signal. In a preferred embodiment, the sample period of step 26 is equal to the transmission period of the Keep-Alive signal, which in the example of FIG. 3 is 75 ms. Thus, step 26 determines whether a Keep-Alive signal is detected in 75 ms and, as introduced earlier, one manner of such detection is by performing a correlation in the receiver using the known 15-bit sequence of the Keep-Alive signal with FSK bits detected at either the f_(M) or f_(S) frequencies. Next, method 20 continues from step 26 to step 28.

In step 28, each receiver RC_(x) determines whether its preceding step 26 decoding operation detected a valid Keep-Alive signal during the monitored transmission period. If the correlation locates an adequate peak within the sampled transmission period thereby indicating such a detection, then the method flow returns from step 28 to step 24. Thus when a receiver detects a single valid Keep-Alive signal, the FAIL COUNT is again reset to zero, and the next decoding step repeats. If, however, step 28, determines that the step 26 decoding step failed to detect a valid Keep-Alive signal during the monitored transmission period, then method 20 continues from step 28 to step 30.

In step 30, each receiver RC_(x) increments its FAIL COUNT parameter by one. For example, therefore, if FAIL COUNT was formerly a value of zero, such as for a first instance of steps 26 and 28, then following step 30 FAIL COUNT will equal one. As introduced earlier, therefore, the parameter FAIL COUNT continues to keep a count of a number of successive transmission periods where a valid Keep-Alive signal is not detected. As shown above, however, when FAIL COUNT is non-zero and a valid Keep-Alive signal is detected, then such an event produces an affirmative finding in step 28 and causes FAIL COUNT to reset to zero. To the contrary, each time FAIL COUNT is incremented, next a step 32 is performed, to determine if FAIL COUNT exceeds some integer threshold THR1, where the value of THR1 may be selected by one skilled in the art, for example after empirical testing of system 10. If step 32 determines that FAIL COUNT does not exceed THR1, then method 20 returns from step 32 to step 26, with FAIL COUNT therefore then being greater than zero. To the contrary, if step 32 determines that FAIL COUNT equals (or exceeds) THR1, then method 20 continues from step 32 to step 34.

From the preceding, one skilled in the art should appreciate that step 34 is reached only when a successive number of transmission periods (e.g., 75 ms intervals) equal to THR1 are sampled by a receiver RC_(x), and for each such period a valid Keep-Alive signal is not detected. Under such conditions, in step 34 the receiver RCs signals its respective MPPT MP_(x) to disable the connectivity between its respective solar panel SP_(x) and grid GR. Thus, in summary, method 20 demonstrates that in one preferred embodiment, each receiver RC_(x) samples signaling on grid GR, and if a number equal to THR1 sequential transmission periods occur without the receiver detecting a valid Keep-Alive signal, then the solar panel SP_(x) corresponding to that receiver is thereby prevented from providing energy to grid GR. With this understanding, and returning to FIG. 1 , note therefore that when normal full power-generation of system 10 is desired, then transmitter 12 _(T) continuously transmits Keep-Alive signals as shown in FIG. 2 , but when safety actuator 12 _(SA) is activated to disconnect power to grid GR, then transmitter 12 _(T) discontinues the transmission of Keep-Alive signals; in response, once a number of transmission periods equal to THR1 elapse without a Keep-Alive signal having been transmitted during that entire duration, each MPPT MP_(x) is signaled to prevent its corresponding solar panel SP_(x) from providing energy to grid GR. Thus, activation of safety actuator 12 _(SA) in this manner will timely and efficiently cause the disruption of power to grid GR from one or more solar panels, in just over the time to detect the entire duration of THR1 times the Keep-Alive signal transmission period.

As another aspect of a preferred embodiment, structure and functionality are included so as to reactivate a connection between solar panels and grid GR, following a disconnection from an incidence of step 34. In this regard, reactivation is controlled via inverter 12 and its associated transmitter 12 _(T), where for example safety actuator 12 _(SA) may include an additional control, button, interface, or event, whereupon activation of any of these attributes transmitter 12 _(T) will re-commence sending Keep-Alive signals along grid GR, and upon receipt of a sufficient number of these signals within a predetermined period, solar panel energy that was formerly disconnected from grid GR is re-established. In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates one preferred embodiment method 40 consistent with the above, which is now discussed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a preferred embodiment method 40 of operation of each receiver RC_(x) that is comparable in numerous respects to method 20 of FIG. 4 , so FIG. 5 is discussed in less detail as the reader is assumed familiar with the earlier discussion. In method 40, again each receiver RC_(x) samples signals on grid GR to detect the presence, or lack thereof, of a stream of Keep-Alive signals. In method 40, however, the presence of, preferably consecutive, Keep-Alive signals will be detected and the appropriate response of reactivating a connection between solar panel SP_(x) and grid GR will be achieved.

Method 40 commences with a system start step 42, illustrating start-up of system 10 after a solar panel SP_(x) has been disconnected from supplying energy to grid GR in accordance with method 20 of FIG. 4 . Thereafter, in step 44, a receiver RC_(x) corresponding to the disconnected solar panel SP_(x) initiates to zero a parameter shown as SUCCESS COUNT. As its name suggest, the parameter SUCCESS COUNT represents a counter for reach receiver RC_(x), indicating a count of the number of times that the receiver RC_(x) successfully detects the presence of a Keep-Alive signal. After step 44, method 40 continues to step 46.

Step 46, and the step 48 following it, perform the same functionality as steps 26 and 28 of FIG. 4 . Thus, in step 46 a receiver RC_(x) samples grid GR to detect the presence of a Keep-Alive signal over the transmission period of that signal, and in step 48 a receiver RC_(x) determines whether its preceding step 46 decoding step detected a valid Keep-Alive signal during the monitored transmission period. In step 48, however, the direction of flow is reversed, relative to step 28, based on either a negative or affirmative determination of the step 48 condition. In other words, if in step 48 no Keep-Alive signal was detected in the preceding step 46, then method 40 returns to step 44 and the SUCCESS COUNT is reset to (or remains at) zero, and the decoding step 46 repeats. If, however, step 48, determines that the step 46 decoding step indeed detected a valid Keep-Alive signal during the monitored transmission period, then method 40 continues from step 48 to step 50.

In step 50, a receiver RC_(x) increments its SUCCESS COUNT parameter by one. Thus, the parameter SUCCESS COUNT keeps a count of a number of successive transmission periods where a valid Keep-Alive signal is detected, following a time where the solar panel SP_(x) corresponding to the receiver RC_(x) was disconnected from grid GR. Each time SUCCESS COUNT is incremented by a step 50, next a step 52 is performed, to determine if SUCCESS COUNT exceeds some integer threshold THR2, where the value of THR2 may be selected by one skilled in the art, again for example after empirical testing of system 10, but where preferably THR2 of step 52 is greater than TRH1 of step 32 from FIG. 4 . If step 52 determines that SUCCESS COUNT does not exceed THR2, then method 40 returns from step 52 to step 46, with SUCCESS COUNT therefore then being greater than zero. To the contrary, if step 52 determines that SUCCESS COUNT equals (or exceeds) THR2, then method 40 continues from step 52 to step 54.

From the preceding, one skilled in the art should appreciate that step 54 is reached only when successive a number of transmission periods (e.g., 75 ms intervals) equal to THR2 are sampled by a receiver RC_(x), and for each such period a valid Keep-Alive signal is detected. Under such conditions, in step 54 the receiver RC_(x) signals its respective MPPT MP_(x) to enable or reactivate the connectivity between its respective solar panel SP_(x) and grid GR. Thus, in summary, method 40 demonstrates that in one preferred embodiment, after a solar panel SP_(x) has been disconnected from grid GR, then its corresponding receiver RC_(x) samples signaling on grid GR, and if a successive number equal to THR2 of Keep-Alive signals are detected, then the solar panel SP_(x) corresponding to that receiver RC_(x) is thereby reconnected to provide energy to grid GR. Thus, recalling that safety actuator 12 _(SA) is operable to re-commence sending Keep-Alive signals along grid GR after a panel has been disconnected from the grid, method 40 therefore will, upon receipt of a sufficient number of these signals within a predetermined period, reconnect a solar panel SP_(x) to provide energy to grid GR where that connection was formerly disconnected.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative preferred embodiment methodology for detecting Keep-Alive signals and either enabling or disabling the connectivity of a solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR, that is, as an alternative to methods 20 and 40 of FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively. By way of introduction, whereas methods 20 and 40 operate in response to each successive Keep-Alive signal transmission period and control may be altered based on a single Keep-Alive signal (e.g., as received in step 26 or failed to be received in step 46), method 60 performs a majority decoding process over an odd number Z of Keep-Alive signal transmission periods, whereby the majority of detected signals, or lack thereof, during the Z periods, causes the resultant control to either connect or disconnect a solar panel SP_(x) with respect to grid GR. Examples of specific steps to achieve such functionality are described below.

Method 60 commences with a system start step 62, illustrating an initial default state of system 10, which could be established such that all solar panels are connected (i.e., via respective MPPTs) to grid GR, or alternatively for a safety mode could be such that all solar panels are disconnected from grid GR. Next, in step 64, each receiver RC_(x) initiates to zero an index parameter shown as Z, and method 60 continues to step 66. In step 66, each receiver RC_(x) samples grid GR in an effort to detect the presence of a Keep-Alive signal, in the same manner as described earlier for step 26 (or step 46). Then, in step 68, the index parameter Z is incremented, after which method 60 continues to step 70.

Step 70 is a conditional step so that overall method 60 will analyze a total number of sample periods (i.e., transmission periods) equal to an odd number value shown as THR3. Thus, step 70 determines whether step 66 has been repeated a total of THR3 times, where if the total is not reached, method 60 loops back to decode another transmission period and again increment the index Z, and once the total of THRE3 is reached method 60 continues to step 72.

In step 72, each receiver RC_(x) performs a majority decode on the THR3 samples periods that have been decoded by repeated instances of step 66, so as to determine whether the majority of those periods detected a valid Keep-Alive signal. In other words, since THR3 is an odd number, then step 72 determines whether a majority of the transmission periods in the THR3 transmission periods were occupied by a valid Keep-Alive signal. For example, if THR3 is 9 periods, then step 72 determines if at least 5 of those periods (i.e., ROUNDUP(THR3/2)=ROUNDUP(9/2)=5) presented a valid Keep-Alive signal. If the majority of the THR3 periods detected a valid Keep-Alive signal, then method 60 continues to step 74, which like step 54 in FIG. 5 , controls an MPPT MP_(x) to enable the connectivity of the corresponding solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR. In opposite fashion, if the majority of the THR3 periods failed to detect a valid Keep-Alive signal, then method 60 continues to step 76, which like step 44 in FIG. 4 , controls an MPPT MP_(x) to disable the connectivity of the corresponding solar panel SP_(x) from grid GR. After either step 74 or step 76, method 60 continues to a step 78, which provides an additional fail-safe evaluation. Specifically, step 78 determines whether a number of on/off transitions from alternate occurrences of steps 74 and 76 have occurred in less than some time period threshold; if this has occurred, such transitioning may be cause for concern and, as a result, method 60 continues from step 78 to step 80, which like step 76, disables connectivity of the corresponding solar panel SP_(x) from grid GR due to the relatively frequent on/off transitions (where one skilled in the art may select an appropriate number and time period threshold for step 78). To the contrary, if step 78 does not detect such repeated transitions, method 60 returns to step 64, whereupon a next set of THR3 transmission periods may be analyzed in a comparable manner as described above.

With method 60, one skilled in the art may choose the value of Z given a tradeoff in that the larger the value of Z, the longer amount of time required before step 72 is reached, that is, the larger the value of Z, the greater amount of time will elapse between actuation of safety actuator 12 _(SA) and the responsive action of either step 74 or step 76. Specifically, such amount of time will be at least equal to Z times the Keep-Alive signal transmission period (e.g., 75 ms). In accordance with the preferred embodiments, therefore, Z is either equal to seven or nine, as testing has indicated that error production for such numbers should be sufficient. Specifically, such testing considers potential errors in the operation, such as a first error where a solar panel SP_(x) remains connected undesirably after transmission of the Keep-Alive signal ceases, or such as a second error where a solar panel SP_(x) is reconnected to grid GR even though a sufficient number of Keep-Alive signals have not been transmitted. Testing, however, is believed to predict that for Z=9, a chance of such an error is only one percent during many centuries (if not longer) of operation.

The above has described how each receiver RC_(x) responds to a same singular 15-bit code (e.g., FIG. 3 ) to cause either connection or disconnection of a respective solar panel SP_(x) to grid GR, but recall earlier mentioned is that an alternative preferred embodiment provides control of groups of solar panels. In this regard, FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative messaging protocol, whereby to maintain solar panel connectivity to grid GR, transmitter 12 _(T) again communicates along the wireline connectivity of FIG. 1 an ongoing stream of Keep-Alive signals, but in FIG. 7 the stream includes groups of S 15-bit Keep-Alive signals, where each of the S signals in a group preferably has a same transmission duration (e.g., again, 75 ms) but differs in its binary values from the other signals in the group, preferably selected from a set of pseudo-orthogonal signals, and where each such signal is for controlling a separate set of one or more MPPTs (and the grid connectivity of their corresponding solar panels). For example, assume that S=4, then FIG. 7 is intended to illustrate that in a first transmission period of S transmission periods, a first Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.1) is transmitted, followed in continuous phase transition by a second Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.2), followed by a third and so forth up through the S^(th) (i.e., fourth) Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.S), for a total duration of S times the individual Keep-Alive signal transmission period of time (i.e., 4*75 ms=300 ms). Thereafter, the entire sequence of S Keep-Alive signals is re-transmitted, and so forth, so long as connectivity is desired as between each group of solar panels and grid GR.

Given the sequence of FIG. 7 , the alternative preferred embodiment modifies any of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 , whereby each receiver RC_(x) performs its decoding step only with respect to the 15-bit sequence that is assigned to that particular receiver. For example, assume that system 10 includes a total of eight solar panels SP₁ through SP₈, where the solar panels are paired with respect to a controlling Keep-Alive signal; thus, as an example, panels SP₁ and SP₂, and their respective receivers RC₁ and RC₂, are responsive to the first Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.1), while panels SP₃ and SP₄, and their respective receivers RC₃ and RC₄, are responsive to the second Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.2), and so forth, as shown in the following Table 1:

TABLE 1 Solar panel, Controlling Keep-Alive receiver signal SP₁, RC₁ KAS_(1.1) SP₂, RC₂ KAS_(1.1) SP₃, RC₃ KAS_(1.2) SP₄, RC₄ KAS_(1.2) SP₅, RC₅ KAS_(1.3) SP₆, RC₆ KAS_(1.3) SP₇, RC₇ KAS_(1.4) SP₈, RC₈ KAS_(1.4)

Given the controlling signals as shown in Table 1, then each receiver RC_(x) performs its decoding step (i.e., either 26, 46, or 66) for a duration equal to S times the individual signal transmission period (e.g., 300 ms), so as to determine if its individual 75 ms signal is detected during that same time. Because the preferred embodiment implements pseudo-orthogonal bit sequences in the set of S Keep-Alive signals, a satisfactory correlation detection should be provided for each of the different signals. Beyond this change, any of methods 20, 40, or 60 may be followed, applying the remaining steps with respect to a receiver and its corresponding Keep-Alive signal. For example, in the instance of Table 1, receiver RC₁, if performing method 60, will attempt to locate Keep-Alive message KAS_(1.1) during a first 300 ms interval, after which the Z index is incremented and the process repeats until THR3 such 300 ms intervals are sampled; thereafter, receiver RC₁ will control MPPT MP₁ to either connect solar panel SP₁ to grid GR if the majority of Z sampling periods decoded a valid Keep-Alive message KAS_(1.1) or it will control MPPT MP₁ to disconnect solar panel SP₁ from grid GR if the majority of Z sampling periods failed to locate a valid Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.1) during that interval. Meanwhile, during this same time interval, the other receivers will likewise operate with respect to their respective Keep-Alive signals. For example, receiver RC₈, while also performing method 60, will attempt to locate Keep-Alive message KAS_(1.4) during the same first 300 ms interval in which receiver RC₁ is sampling for Keep-Alive message KAS_(1.1), after which the Z index is incremented and the process repeats until THR3 such 300 ms intervals are sampled; thereafter, receiver RC₈ will control MPPT MP₈ to either connect solar panel SP₈ to grid GR if for the interval the majority of Z sampling periods decoded a valid Keep-Alive message KAS_(1.4), or it will control MPPT MP₈ to disconnect solar panel SP₈ from grid GR if for the interval the majority of Z sampling periods failed to locate a valid Keep-Alive signal KAS_(1.4) during that period. One skilled in the art should readily appreciate the comparable operation of the remaining receivers and respective MPPT/panels, in implementing any of methods 20, 40, or 60.

Given the preceding, the preferred embodiments provide an improved PV (solar panel) system operable to disconnect or reactivate connectivity of such panels to a power grid, for instance in connection with safety considerations. While various aspects have been described, substitutions, modifications or alterations can be made to the descriptions set forth above without departing from the inventive scope. For example, while system 10 includes one receiver per solar panel/MPPT pair, in an alterative preferred embodiment a single receiver could be used to control multiple MPPTs, and the solar panel connectivity to those MPPTs. As another example, while the messaging protocol has been shown to provide bits for enabling solar panel connectivity to the grid, such bits, or alternative sets of bits, also may be used to provide additional commands. As still another example, while method 60 is described in connection with sampling successive time periods of Z times the Keep-Alive signal transmission period, in an alternative preferred embodiment a sliding window of time may be used such that the most recent THR3 sample periods are analyzed in connection with the majority decoding decision. As still another example, various of the flowchart steps may be re-ordered or further modified (including adding additional steps), and sizing of parameters may be adjusted, such as changes to any of signal bit size, transmission period, THR1, THR2, THR3, N, Z, and so forth. Still other examples will be ascertainable by one skilled in the art and are not intended as limiting to the inventive scope, which instead is defined by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a power source; a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; a first circuit configured to selectively couple the power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter; an inverter; and a transmitter configured to periodically transmit keep-alive messages via the power grid.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first circuit is configured to decouple the power source from the power grid when the count value reaches a first threshold.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal during a predetermined period of time, and wherein the counter is configured to: reset the count value when the signal comprises a keep-alive message during the predetermined period of time; and increment the count value when the signal does not comprise a keep-alive message during the predetermined period of time.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the predetermined period of time is 75 ms.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first circuit is configured to couple the power source to the power grid when the count value reaches a first threshold.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first housing that comprises the power source and the receiver; and a second housing that comprises the inverter and the transmitter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a solar panel.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a first housing that comprises the solar panel and the receiver.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a photovoltaic power source.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first circuit comprises a maximum power point tracker (MPPT).
 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of power sources, each of the plurality of power sources comprising a respective power source and a respective receiver, wherein each of the respective receivers is configured to monitor the signal for keep-alive messages.
 12. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the first circuit is configured to couple the power source to the power grid when the count value reaches a first threshold, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal during a predetermined period of time, and wherein the counter is configured to: increment the count value when the signal does comprises a keep-alive message during the predetermined period of time; and reset the count value when the signal does not comprise a keep-alive message during the predetermined period of time.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the receiver comprises a further counter configured to update a further count value of the further counter based on the signal, wherein the first circuit is configured to decouple the power source from the power grid when the further count value reaches a second threshold.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first threshold is higher than the second threshold.
 15. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal during a predetermined period of time, wherein an expected number of keep-alive messages is Z, Z being a positive integer, wherein the counter is configured to increment the count value when the signal does comprise a keep-alive message during the predetermined period of time, and wherein the first circuit is configured to, after the predetermined period of time: decouple the power source from the power grid when the count value is lower than Z minus the count value; and couple the power source to the power grid when the count value is higher than Z minus the count value.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal during a further period of time larger than the predetermined period of time and that comprises the predetermined period of time, and wherein the first circuit is configured to decouple the power source from the power grid when a number of coupling of the power source to the power grid during the further period of time exceeds a first threshold.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein Z is an odd number.
 18. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal for keep-alive messages that use frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation.
 19. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal for keep-alive messages, each keep-alive message consisting of data bits.
 20. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal for keep-alive messages, each keep-alive message comprising 15-bits.
 21. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal for continuous keep-alive messages with a continuous phase transition.
 22. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried by electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to: monitor the signal for keep-alive messages; and detect the keep-alive messages using a correlator.
 23. A device comprising: a receiver comprising a counter configured to update a count value of the counter based on a signal carried electrical wiring of a power grid; and a first circuit configured to selectively couple a power source to the electrical wiring of the power grid based on the count value of the counter, wherein the receiver is configured to monitor the signal for a keep-alive message during a predetermined time period, wherein the signal, during the predetermined time period, comprises S keep-alive messages, S being a positive integer, wherein each of the S keep-alive messages have a same duration, and wherein each of the S keep-alive messages comprises a different binary value.
 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the receiver is configured to detect the keep-alive message based on one of the S keep-alive messages matching a predetermined binary value.
 25. The device of claim 23, wherein S is equal to
 4. 